Homer: The Odyssey (1993) retold by Geraldine McCaughrean, Book Review

 

Homer: The Odyssey (1993) retold by Geraldine McCaughrean

Many years ago, I try to finish reading Homer’s original English translations of Iliad and Odyssey (found 1 volume in the library), but I failed. Probably I wasn’t that interested in mythology before or my English wasn’t that good, or I thought it was a boring long-poem. Maybe, all. But perhaps what I need was not to know the whole story behind the poem but a retold that keeps the essentials and yet fun to read (and that may include reading children’s books). That is exactly what McCaughrean did to Homer’s Odyssey. Homer (presumably) was the first Greek writer whose works survive – perhaps the first Greek writer there was. In the Iliad, considered to be the earliest of the two, he wrote about the last few weeks of war between the Greeks and the Trojans, the imminent death of Achilles and the fall of Troy, the drama between mortal men and the gods.

Like something of a sequel, the Odyssey told the epic journey of Odysseus, warrior-king of Ithaca (fairly means “victim of enmity”), who sometimes known as Ulysses, sail back home after 10 years of war at Troy. But along the way, he and his soldiers encounter all kinds of enmities, dangers, and adventures, from Polyphemus the greedy one-eyed giant (son of Poseidon, the sea god), from the cannibal King Lamus of Laestrygonia, from the sorceress Circle, Scylla the six-headed sea monster and even the wrath of the gods themselves (how dare!) before he united with his wife, Penelope, and son. The journey takes another 10 years. “’Your son will be a big lad now, captain,’ said Polites. ‘Eleven! Almost eleven! He was only a baby when I left Ithaca. A fine help I’ve been to his mother, leaving her all alone.’ ‘Ah, but such a lady, captain! Such a lady never knew the meaning of impatience!’ Odysseus looked into the distance with unfocused eyes. ‘Indeed, yes, Polites. Such a woman.’” 

One of the main questions that I have when I read this book is this: Why they encountered with these monsters and gods on the way back home to Ithaca and not when they went to Troy? Well, myth is a myth #ServeToLead #1Book1Week #HomerOdyssey #GreekMythology

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THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

 

Timothy, Workout in the Gym is Okay Lah, but a Godly Life is Fuyooh! (1 Timothy 4:7-9)

"Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it."

(1 Timothy 4:7-9, NLT)

There are some things that we as Christians shouldn't waste our time with. "Godless ideas and old wives' tales" mentioned here – or as Eugene Peterson paraphrased it, "Silly stories that get dressed up as religion" – are some of them. This reminder is similar to what Paul wrote earlier: "[Don't waste your] time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees." Why? Because "these things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don't help people live a life of faith in God" (1 Timothy 1:4). Once a fellow Christian told me about the world's government's‘ secret' to cover up the ‘fact' that the earth is flat! Then, a few days ago two of my friends talked with each other about The Illuminati and Freemasonry for hours. And have you received an SMS or WhatsApp text that says something like this, "[Religious message] Forward this to 10 people and good things will happen to you"? All of these are silly and unprofitable conversations!

"Instead," reminds Paul to Timothy and every Christian who read this, "train yourself to be godly" or "exercise yourself toward godliness" (NKJV). The Greek word for "exercise" here is gumnazo, from which we get the English word gymnasium. This is the place nowadays where people go for exercise and to get the body muscles in tone (although I prefer outdoor exercise. The world is my gym!). Paul continues to say that "physical training is good…" It is good! In my opinion, most Christian workers such as pastors and preachers today are often guilty of neglecting their physical health. Of course, there are those who, on the other hand, may overindulge in exercise until it also becomes a waste of time! What we need is discipline, balance, and moderation. If our bodies belong to God (read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20), then we are responsible to keep them in good shape and make the best use of them. A healthy body will produce a healthy mind; a healthy mind produces a healthy spirit.

Now, as important as bodily exercise is, there is something vastly more important. "…But training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and the life to come." The reason "exercise" toward godliness is so much more profitable than physical exercise is that the results are so much more lasting. Bodily exercise is profitable only for a short time or is of little extent when compared to spiritual exercise. Bodily exercise has a life-time value but spiritual exercise has an eternal value! Godliness not only will (surely) affects our lives here and now on earth but we shall reap the result of it in the rewards of eternity. H. A. Ironside notes, "No one will live a truly pious life who neglects the means which God has given to us for this purpose. We have the Word of God; we need to study our Bibles. And we need to take much time for prayer. Then we must be faithful in testifying to those who are unsaved. To honor God in these things is to be exercised unto godliness." To be godly is to be God-like; to be God-like is to be like Christ. This you must "exercise" daily!

Paul concludes his encouragement by emphasizing its trustworthiness and it should be received and considered by Timothy – by us - seriously. "This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it." What Paul had just said is very important and either Timothy (or you) received it or not, it IS true and worth accepting. It is like Jesus when He said, "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand." Amen.

You may exercise at least three times a week,
or at least you know that it is important for your health.
But do you exercise spiritually regularly?
Do you see it as more important?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Ragnarok: The End of the Gods (2011) by A. S. Byatt: Book Review

Ragnarok: The End of the Gods (2011) by A. S. Byatt

Since Marvel movie Thor, I'm fascinated by Norse mythology (Edith Hamilton's book Mythology also influenced me too). Thor latest movie entitled Ragnarok (2017) really exposed me to this end-time term for the end of the gods. This god-man, monster-alien, good-evil characters are very interesting for me because, as George Lucas once said, "Mythology gives you a sense of what a people believe, what they fear." One of the reasons I like to read books is so that I can learn other people's beliefs. In this short novella, A.S. Byatt captures the spirit of Norse mythology with short (I like!) and poetic prose (I don't like poetry). She tells this end-times story from the point of view of a 'thin girl' who escapes to this mythology during WWII.

The events of WWII are cleverly contrasted against the horrific events of the mythology of Ragnarok and the death of the gods. In the end, A.S. Byatt clarifies that she chose "to use particular translations and aspects of the story" in her retelling to not give a happy ending to the story. The story of Ragnarok she suggests here (in its mythic nature) is not meant to be a happy story. Unlike fairy-tales or any other narrative, a myth is not a story with happy endings. Myth always evolves and never end.

The one thing preventing me from enjoying this to a greater extent on a personal level was the poetic prose. Flowery language is not my strength. I wish to read a straightforward novel (I know myth supposed to be poetic). Adding to this the fact that I already knew the stories of the Norse gods quite well and this became a rehashing of familiar material for me. That said, it was well written and neatly constructed with an interesting narration device to show the point of view of a reader of these myths. I fully recommend anyone with a passing interest in Norse myths to read this short tale. It only takes you about 30 minutes to finish it.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Timothy, Stop Those Liars Who Teach Different Doctrine (2 Timothy 1:3-4)

“As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith”

(1 Timothy 1:3-4, ESV)

When I first read 1 and 2 Timothy, I thought that Timothy was a senior pastor. I was wrong. Timothy is not to be thought of in the same capacity as a modern-day pastor. The church at Ephesus already had elders who were in charge of the work there (read Acts 19:17-38). Timothy was rather Paul’s representative to give direction and instruction to the church at Ephesus and surrounding churches (when I read the New Testament, it seems like there are at least two churches at Ephesus). So, one of the main reasons the apostle Paul wanted Timothy to stay in Ephesus was to counteract the teaching of those who were teaching “different doctrine” or “other doctrine.” These individuals are not named as are in 1 Timothy 1:20 but are simply referred to as “certain persons.”

In Acts 20:18-31, Paul had warned the Ephesian elders: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.” So here, Timothy is to warn them again that they are to stop these false teachers (“fierce wolves”) to “not to teach any different doctrine” (same words used in Galatians 1:6-7). Warn and stop them Timothy!

For the child of God – especially, Bible teachers – faithfulness to the doctrine of the Word of God is not optional. This “different doctrine” didn’t and won’t bring sinners to salvation or edify the believers. It only sparked curiosity and people pursue “myths” and “endless genealogies.” Historically, the Jews have been guilty of allegorizing much of the Old Testament, adding stories and taking some of the genealogical lists in the Old Testament, and adding names with symbolic meanings (Google Jewish Mythology). I have a Good News Bible with Deuterocanonical or Apocrypha books in it such as the story of the prophet Daniel, Bel, and the Dragon! A bunch of myths! How many false cults and heresies have been started in our day by the same means (the Bible taught God the Mother? Lucifer is Jesus’s brother? Muhammad is the seal of the Old and New Testament prophets?). People are fascinated by some new, wild speculations and yet remain ignorant of the Gospel of the saving grace of God.

 All such nonsenses only lead people to more and more questions and devotions. Distracted and majoring in minor things. They do not result in the “stewardship from God that is by faith” or “godly edifying which is in faith” (KJV). Rather than being occupied with Jesus Christ and the truth of God’s Word, they are occupied with various side issues. Paul says that we have been made stewards of the mysteries of God and we are required to be found faithful to that stewardship (read 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, I remember Steve Green’s song Find Us Faithful). The “different doctrine” in Ephesus and the curious myths of the Bible today must be put to stop!

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.